A powerful drilling rig is en route to York as part of a major project to tap into deep geothermal energy.
The rig will be used to drill a four-kilometre well at the University of York, supporting the city’s drive towards Net Zero and advancing clean energy research.
The rig, a modern Drillmec swing-lift electric model known as Rig 65, is currently being transported from Isdemir, Turkey, onboard the cargo ship BBC Bangkok.
Paul Bushnell, geothermal project director at the University of York, said: "This is an incredible piece of engineering making its way to York.
"This project will transform how we power our campus.
"It will act as a living laboratory that will spur pioneering research, equip our students with future skills and aims to deliver real environmental benefits for our region."
The rig is travelling through the Mediterranean Sea at 11 knots and is expected to arrive at the Port of Immingham, in North East Lincolnshire, in early September.
Once offloaded, the rig will be taken to a specialist yard for final preparations before being delivered to University Campus East early next year.
The 2,000-horsepower rig, with a hoisting capacity of up to 500 tonnes, will then be assembled on site ahead of drilling.
The rig will remain at the university for a year as it drills down to a depth equivalent to 12 Eiffel Towers.
The project, called FutureSource, aims to harness natural geothermal energy beneath York to reduce the university’s reliance on fossil fuels.
It will also serve as a research and training hub for geoscience and a demonstration site for clean energy technology.
Specialist partner Marriott Drilling Group will lead the drilling operations, which are scheduled to begin in 2027.
Jonti Hobday, director of Marriott Drilling Group, said: "Marriott Drilling is proud to be the delivery partner for this flagship UK deep geothermal project.
"As a UK company with 79 years of global experience, we are pleased to bring our international expertise home to support the project’s success and demonstrate geothermal energy’s role in the energy transition."
A noise monitoring system will be installed to minimise disruption, and any ground vibration is expected to be minor and contained within the site.
Preparations are already underway at the university following planning approval in April.
The University of York said the scheme could significantly reduce its carbon footprint and contribute to regional and national efforts to develop sustainable energy solutions.
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